As the World Turns Canceled

[Erin]

Another one bites the dust. I didn't watch this one as much as my beloved Guiding Light, but it's a sad day. I hope they bring back Martha Byrne to play the real Lily.

http://www.welovesoaps.net/2009/12/a...mber.html#more



AS THE WORLD TURNS, the long-running daytime drama, will complete its final season on the CBS Television Network in September 2010. CBS has decided not to renew the show for the 2010/2011 broadcast season, thereby ending its 54-year run on the Network.

"Throughout our history, AS THE WORLD TURNS has remained dedicated to sharing compelling stories that have entertained fans for more than five decades," said Executive Producer Chris Goutman. "We are disappointed and saddened by the news that the show is not being renewed. It will certainly be a loss for all of us, and for the show's loyal audience."

"AS THE WORLD TURNS has been a cornerstone of our business and a tremendous asset to the company," said Brian T. Cahill, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, TeleNext Media, Inc. "We are proactively seeking a new outlet to carry the show, and are open to exploring innovative formats and relationships that will enable the future success of ATWT."

The epitome of multi-generational, serial storytelling, AS THE WORLD TURNS has been entertaining generations of fans for more than half a century. The show boasts a well-loved and long-tenured cast, including actress Helen Wagner (Nancy Hughes) who spoke the first words on the premier broadcast of ATWT in 1956. To this day, Nancy is still at the helm of the Hughes family, earning Wagner the distinction of portraying the longest-running character in television history.

Other veteran cast members still on the show today include Eileen Fulton (Lisa Grimaldi) and Don Hastings (Dr. Bob Hughes) who each have played their characters for 49 years; Marie Masters (Dr. Susan Stewart) with 41 years; and Kathryn Hays (Kim Hughes) who has starred on the show for 37 years.

AS THE WORLD TURNS has tackled many contemporary themes over the years, including AIDS, Alzheimer's, alcoholism and more, while remaining true to the show's rich history and realistic characters. In 1988, the serial made history by introducing daytime television's first gay male character, Hank Eliot (played by Brian Starcher), for which it was honored at the first annual GLAAD media awards in 1990.

Created by Irna Phillips, AS THE WORLD TURNS premiered on April 2, 1956 as a 30-minute live television show, unprecedented at the time for a soap opera. Top-rated from 1959 to 1971, it was the first daytime serial with its own spin-off, Our Private World, which aired in prime-time. The show switched to color on 1967, and expanded from a half-hour in length to one hour in 1975. Over the years, ATWT has been awarded numerous accolades, including 58 Daytime Emmy awards.

Set in the fictional Midwestern town of Oakdale, As The World Turns launched the careers of many now-famous Hollywood celebrities, such as Dana Delaney, James Earl Jones, Julianne Moore, Parker Posey, Meg Ryan, and Marisa Tomei to name a few.

[GODDESS6]

i stopped watching soaps a few years back~ i used to never miss any of them, i was so addicted~ i remember this soap in particular my entire life~ i am always saddened to see such a long running series end~

[markolas]

How are they going to fill up all that air time? More trashy talk shows?

My bf's brother and his best friend/housemate work for a soap opera magazine - at this rate, their jobs are going to be made redundant in <5 years.

[Musicman408]

A few years back I was into Bold and the Beautiful REALLY hardcore!!! Not so anymore, but this is sad to hear!

[vivfox]

I have been watching All My Children since 1977 and One Life To Live since 1993.

First they cancelled Another World and then it was Guiding Light. Now it's As The World Turns? This is the first I'm hearing about it. I read Soap Opera Digest every week. I guess the world can say goodbye to Luke and Noah, gay lovers from this show. In general the fans have been complaining these guys aren't getting enough airtime.

All My Children is literally moving from its NYC location to Los Angeles in January. I believe this will be the kiss of death for the show. Susan Lucci debated whether to move to the west coast and then rumour has it that ABC put out a casting call for a famous woman to replace her and then she quickly agreed to make the move. She decided to get a Hollywood apartment and become bi-costal. AMC has been soooo boring all year long and I only watch it now because of Erica Kane, so I was really hoping Susan Lucci was going to tell the execs to take a hike so I could finally ditch the show for good. OLTL is a fantastic show and has been better than AMC for a long ass time. But go figure, it is consistantly the lowest rated soap so I'm sure its time will be coming to an end soon too. When that happens I will cancel my cable completely and probably never watch tv again. As it is now the only shows I watch are the two soaps and Lost and Lost is about to start its last season.

[hippilil86]

I was actually named after Lily on As the World Turns. My mom loved the show, and loved the name, so there you go.
Sad that it's being cancelled.

[JWS]

Originally Posted by markolas

How are they going to fill up all that air time? More trashy talk shows?
<5 years.

No. Switch to ESPN's PTI The highest rated scheduled cable show. 5:30 ET

[GypsySorcerer]

All the soaps will probably be canceled in ten years or less.

I still watch B&B and Days sometimes. I watched Y&R as a kid, but lost interest. I tuned in recently and didn't know 2/3 of the characters!